Justification:
This species is very rare and has a limited and patchy distribution. There are approximately 200 known mature individuals remaining in Singapore, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, and there has been at least 27% loss of mangrove area in this species range over a 25 year period (less than one generation length) due to extensive coastal development. Is it listed as Critically Endangered. More research is needed to determine this status of this species population in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Viet Nam.

This species has a very limited patchy distribution. It has been known to be previously present in South Asia in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. However, current estimates of known individuals are only from Singapore, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. In Australasia it is found in Papua New Guinea (Frodin et al. 1982, Percival and Womersley 1975), and there are reports that it is also found in Timika and Bintuni Bay, Irian Jaya (S.Sukardjo pers. comm.).

This species is found in the intermediate estuarine zone in the high intertidal region (Robertson and Alongi 1992). It has very low rates of propagation and low rates of germination. It takes 18 months to go through maturation cycle. It can grow up to 30 m tall.

This species has very low rates of propagation and low rates of germination. It is threatened by extensive coastal development within its range, especially as it occurs primarily in back mangrove areas. There has been at least a 27% loss of mangrove area in countries within this species range between 1980 and 2005 (FAO 2007).

All mangrove ecosystems occur within mean sea level and high tidal elevations, and have distinct species zonations that are controlled by the elevation of the substrate relative to mean sea level. This is because of associated variation in frequency of elevation, salinity and wave action (Duke et al. 1998). With rise in sea-level, the habitat requirements of each species will be disrupted, and species zones will suffer mortality at their present locations and re-establish at higher elevations in areas that were previously landward zones (Ellison 2005). If sea-level rise is a continued trend over this century, then there will be continued mortality and re-establishment of species zones. However, species that are easily dispersed and fast growing/fast producing will cope better than those which are slower growing and slower to reproduce.

In addition, mangrove area is declining globally due to a number of localized threats. The main threat is habitat destruction and removal of mangrove areas. Reasons for removal include cleared for shrimp farms, agriculture, fish ponds, rice production and salt pans, and for the development of urban and industrial areas, road construction, coconut plantations, ports, airports, and tourist resorts. Other threats include pollution from sewage effluents, solid wastes, siltation, oil, and agricultural and urban runoff. Climate change is also thought to be a threat, particularly at the edges of a species range. Natural threats include cyclones, hurricane and tsunamis.

This species is currently being studied for propagation techniques. It is recommended that protected areas be made for its habitat and active planning for its conservation take place. More research is needed to determine this species population status in other countries within its presumed range.